Parents charged for allegedly providing teen with murder weapon

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee police say 14-year-old Kaleel Buchanan’s parents allegedly played a part in him gunning down a man on 24th and West Keefe. Buchanan was charged with first degree intentional homicide, and now, his parents are behind bars as well.

It was around 10:30 in the morning on August 18th when Dennis Smith Jr. was gunned down at 24th and W. Keefe.

Williams said he is disheartened that a life was lost and a 14-year-old boy may spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted.

According to a criminal complaint, moments before the murder, Smith “pushed Kaleel down twice, causing him to fall into a railing.” Then, Smith got into an argument with someone called ‘Lovie.’ Lovie called Kaleel’s father, Jammie Yerks, to tell him to bring backup.”

The criminal complaint says shortly thereafter, a witness said a car pulled up with Yerks and Chacette Buchanan inside. The complaint says “Yerks drove up in a car and handed Kaleel a gun.”

The complaint said Kaleel yelled “you robbed my brother G-Rod, and “began shooting Dennis Smith.” Kaleel kept shooting and “showed no mercy.” Another witness said Kaleel “emptied the clip” in the gun he was holding.

Smith suffered at least 23 gunshot wounds, according to the Medical Examiner’s report.

“Nobody deserves to die. Nobody got the right to take nobody’s life, no matter what the situation is,” Williams said.

Moments after the shooting, reports suggest Kaleel “called Yerks to pick him up.” That’s when Chacette called her other son and said “Kaleel had got into trouble…and needed him to pick Kaleel up and bring him back to Menasha.”

Days later, Kaleel and his parents were arrested in Mensaha.

Kaleel’s stepfather is being charged with first degree intentional homicide as party to a crime with use of a dangerous weapon.

Kaleel’s mother faces charges of intentionally contributing to the delinquency of a child resulting in death, party to a crime.